Thermostatic control mechanism for hydrocarbon-engines



y L. H. LAMONT. .THERMOSTATIC CONTROL MECHANISM FOR HYDROCARBON ENGINES.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 30 1917- Patented Aug. 24, 1920'.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

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ME H. L/mo EUR N7.'

L. H. LAMONT. THERMOSTATIC CONTROL MECNANISM FOR HYDROCARBON ENGINES.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 30. 1917.

Patented Aug. 24, 1920.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

unirse STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LEXVS., LAMITT, GF CHCAG-Gi, ILLINOIS.

ERMOSTATU G'EROL MELANSM EUR -YEROCARBON-ENGINES.

.application niet?. November 30,. ist?.

Teelt/whom. mag/concern:

Be it known that l, Lewis H. lastimar, citizen e 'he United States, anda resident of ther of Chicago, in the county yCook anil State ofIllinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in ar"hermostatic Control Mechanism for Hydrocarbon-Engines; and I do herebydeclare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description ofthe same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to thenumerals of reference marked thereon, which form a part of thisspecification.

lene before it enters the carbureter.

A further object of the invention is the construction'of athermostatadapted'to be used in-'combination with an electric heater and asolenoid switch mechanism for automatically controlling the heating ofgasolene ybefore it enters the carbureter of a gasolene engine. y A

An important object of theinvention is the construction of a theremostat.control mechanism of simpleand effective form for automaticallycontrolling the preheating of gaso'lene before the same is carburetedwithl air to be used as a fuel in a hydro-carbon engine.

Other 4and further important objects of this invention will be apparentfrom the disclosures in the specification and drawings.

The invention (in a preferred form) is illustrated in the drawings andhereinafter more fully described.

On the drawings:

Figure l is an elevational View of one side of an engine equipped with athermostatic control mechanism embodying the principles of thisinvention.l y

Fig. 2 is a central vertical section taken :Specification or LettersPatent.

Patcnte d Aug. 24,. 1920.

lthrough the device, with parts sh un in elevation.

Fig. lis a `section taken on line SH3 of Fig. 2, with parts inelevation.

Fig. d is a section on line 4% of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a section taken on line 55 'of Fig. 3, with parts shown inelevation.

Fig. G is a wiring diagram of the device.

Fig. 7 is a longitudinal vertical section through the solenoid switchmechanism mounted upon the dash of a motor car.'

Fig. 8 is a central vertical section through a modified form ofthermostat and heater shown associated with the dash pot of acarbureter.

Fig. 9 is a section on line 9-9 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a central vertical section through a thermostat shownassociated with the exhaust manifold of an engine.

Fig. il is a side elevational View of another modified form ofthermostat.

As shown on the drawings:

The reference numeral l, designates an automobile engine provided'withanintake manifold 2, and-having a carbureter 3, attached thereto in theusual manner. Connected with `the float chamber 4of the :"carbureter 3,is agasolene supply or feed pipe 4, havingconnected therein at a pointnear the carbureter a thermostatically controlled heating unitrepresented as a whole by the reference numeral 5, and forming a portionof the thermostatic control mechanism embodying the principles of thisinvention.

As shown in Figs. 2 to 5, inclusive, the

thermostatically controlled heating unit comprises a heater and athermostat. The

heater embraces a cylindrical shell or outer casing 6, open andinternally threaded at its lowerend, and provided onopposite sidesthereof with externally threaded collars 7, each of which is providedwith an inwardly taperingpassage 8, communicating with the interior ofsaid casing. The supply pipe 4,

thereof cut out, and the adjacent ends of said pipe are externallythreaded. Removlably threaded on each vof the threaded ends of the pipe.4, is a tapered passaged plug '9,

adapted to fit into the tapered passage 8, of 105 one of the collars 7.Engaged on each of the plugs 9, is an` internally threaded nut, cap orconnector. 1l), which is removably threaded onto one of the sleeves 7,to hold the casing G, connected in the gasolene sup- 110 lat a pointnear the carbureter, has a portion ply pipe 4, with the plugs 9, tightlysealed in thepassages S. A. housing or inner casing 11, open atv itslower end and provided with an externally threaded dange 12, isremovably 'threaded into the outer casing 6. Said inner casing l1, is ofa site to adord a gasolene chamber 13, between said casinos into whichthe passages 8, communicate. lil-emovably secured within the innercasing 11, by means of a; screw 14, is an electric heater comprising aspool 15, having an inner metal end plate 16,'and an outer metal endplate 17, which closes the lower open end of the inner casing. A.heating coil 18, is wound on the l spood 15, and has one end thereofgrounded through the inner end plate 13, while the other end is attachedto a binding pos-t 19,-

secured on the exterior surface of the outer end plate 17. V l

The outer casing 6, of the heater, is provided with a threaded openingor aperture inthe front'side thereof, into which is revmovably threadeda sleeve or collar 20, pro

vided'with a passage 2l. Said collar 20, is

integrally formed on the'eterior of the rear wall of a thermostatembracing a cylindrical housingorcasing 22, provided on the interiorthereof with a' transverse partition wall 23, affording a gasolenechamber 24, within the casing 22, between the partition wall and therear wall, and an open instrument chamber 25, in the fore part of thecasing, which is closed by means of a dislr or plate26, which is held inposition by a retaining screw 27, which projects through a passagedinsulating sleeve 28, and removably threads into the partition wall 23.Said insulation sleeve 28', is rigidly secured centrally on the frontface of the partition wall v23, and hassecured thereon the inner end ofa metal expansion spring 29, the-'outer end of which isV bent at anangle to adord a contact member or lever 30. Mounted within the chamber25, upon the front surface of thev partition wall 23, are adjustableContact terminals 3l and 32, disposed on opposite sidesvof the Contactmember 30, as clearly shown in lltig. 5. Mounted on the thermostatcasing 22,'are three connecting or binding posts33, 34, and 35,respectively. The' contact terminalv 31, is connected with the bindingpost 34, whichin turn is connected by a wire 36, to the binding post 19,of the f heating coil 18. rThe' contact terminal y32, is

connected to the binding post 35`, and the binding post 33, is connectedwith the expansion spring 29, by means of a spring fin-A ger l l Shownin lig. "l, is a solenoid switch com-' prising a part of the thermostatcontrol mechanism. Said solenoid switch is mounted upon the dashorinstrument board 38, of the automobile, or in any other suitableplace. 'l`he solenoid switch comprises a sleeve 39, having a front plate40, Vsecured recaen on one end thereof which lits flat against the dash38, Vand is secured thereto by screws 41. Secured on the other end ofthe sleeve 39, is a diSlr or rear plate 42, on which are mountedterminal or contact posts 43 and 44, respectively. 'Vfound upon thesleeve 39,

teries 50, or any other suitable source ofv electrical energy. The.batteries 50, are groundedthrough a wire 51. Slidably projecting throughthe sleeve 39, is a solenoid core 52, provided with a handle l53, on itsouter end and with a two arm contact member 54, on the inner end adaptedto be moved to simultaneously contact the terminal posts 43 and 44.Mounted on the inner'solenoid plate 42, is a casing 55, within which arepivotally mounted a pair of oppositely disposed spring controlledlinlrs, the inner ends of which overlap and are Aslotted. to slidablyengagea pin 57, secured on the inner end of the solenoid core 52.

Figs. 8 and 9, disclose a modified formof Yheater to which a thermostatsimilar to that already described vis removably attached. ln this formof the device', the reference'nu- Inerall, designates a dash pot of acarbureter into the lower end of which is removably threaded a heatercomprisinga cylindrical casing 59, open atbothends and provided with atransverse partition wall 60, near the lower end thereof dividing the inlil@ terior of the casing into a heating chamber Y and a 'gasolenechamber 6l, which communicates with the dash pot chamber. Disposedwithin the heating chamber is a wire heat unit 62, surrounded byinsulating material 63. '.lhe heating chamber is closed by means ofA aclosure plate 64, held in position by-a retaining V,screw 65, vthe innerend of which is removably threaded into the partition wall 60. The endsvofthe heat Aunit 62,' are connected in circuit similar to -t-he.arrangement shown in the wiring diagram of Fig. 6. ils clearly shown inFig. 8, the casing 59, is provided with a threaded opening in one sidethereof above the partition wall 60, and removably threaded into saidopening is a thermostat similar to that already described and shown inFigs. 3, 4 and 5.

l4`ig-l10, shows a' thermostat similar to that shown Vin 8, removablythreadedl into athreaded opening provided for the engine 1.

purpose in the exhaust manifold ,66, of the v A in Fig. 1l, and embracesan angle plate coniprising integral plates 67 and 68. ldigidly.

. ner end of which is enlarged, as denoted by the reference'niuneral 70,and is externally threaded to permit mounting of the device by means ofthe nut 71, disposed adjacent the wall 67, and integral therewith.Slidably disposed within the tube 69, is an expansion rod 72, adapted,when expanded by heat, te contact a linger or pawl 73, pivotally mountedon the inner surface of the wall 68, to move the free end thereotlagainst a contact member oi' lever 7 4, the upper end of which ispivotedupon the wall 68, while the lower end is free and is disposed betweenadjustable contact terminals 75 and 7 6, mounted upon an extension 77,formed below the plate G8.

The operation is as follows:

In Figs. 1. to 7, inclusive, the heater is connected in the gasolenesupply pipe 4, adjacent the carbureter 3, and the thermostat isremovably threaded into the'l outer casing G, of the heater, thusconnecting the chambers 13 and 24, by means of the passage 21.v Thesolenoid switch is conveniently located on the dash 38, of theautomobile, while lthe batteries 50, may be located in any convenientplace desired. The various mechanisms of the device vare connected up asshown on the wiring diagram shown .in Fig. 6. Then the engine 1, iscold, the eX- pansion spring 29, is contracted, thus holding the contactmember30, against the contact terminal 31. If it is desired to start theengine, the gasolene is turned on and flows through the pipe 4, intorthechambers 13 and 24, and into the float chamber of the carbu- .i-eter.The solenoid coil 52, is then manually pulled outwardly by the handle53, thus bringing the contact member 54, into Contact with both of thecontact terminals 43 and 44, thereby establishing a-circuit through thebatteries 50, the expansion spring 29, and

Y the heat coil 18, through ground. The heat coil is thus rapidly heatedby electricity thus heating the inner casing 11, and thereby the.

gasolene in the chamber 13. The heated gasolene, of course, Hows intothe 'thermostat chamber 24, heating the partition wall 23, and theexpansion spring 29, which expands, thereby drawing the contact member30, away from the terminal 31, and into contact with the terminali-52.This operation establishes a circuit through the solenoid coill45,whereby the core 52, is automatically drawn inwardly, breaking thecontact between the mixing chamber of the ca-rbureter, thus making itcomparatively easy to start the engine.

The entering gasolene isthus.' rapidly heated before it is admitted intothe lt will be noted that when the engine is in operation or is warm,accidental closing of the contact member 54, against the terminals 43and will be immediately broken by the action of the solenoid, due to thefact that the contact member being heated is in contact with terminal32. The heating of the entering gasolene when it is desired to startlthe engine when cold is therefore controlled by the thermostaticcontrol mechanism described.

"ll he operation of the modified form of the device shown in Figs` 3 and9, is similar to that already described, the heating unit (52, havingone terminal grounded and the other connected through the wire 3.6, tothe terminal 31. ln this case, however, the gasolcne from the dash potchamber flows into the chambers (31 and 24, to be heated before enteringtlie mixing chamber ot the carburetor.

In the arrangement shown in Fig. 10, the

thermostat is connected in the exhaust manifold'GG, of the engine, andthe circuit connections are similar to the arrangement shown in Fig. rG.

The modified form of thermostat disclosed in Fig. 11, mayA of course, besubstituted for the form shown in the other figures. llllien theexpansion rod 72, is cold or contracted, the pawl 73, is permitted tofall rearwardly against the plate G7, thus permittingthe contact member74, to swing against the contact terminal 76, to which the wire 3G,isconnected when the modified form 'of thermostat is used in place ofthe one shown inthe wiring diagram.4 The contact terminal 75, isconnected withthe wire 4G, and the contact member 74, is connected upwith the wire 43. It will, of course, be understood that the threadedportion 70, is adapted to be threaded into an electric heater or intothe exhaust manifold of an engine to afford a meansfor heating the tubeG9, and consequently the expansion rod 72. The expansion rod 72, thusheated, expands and moves the pawl 73, against the contact member 74,which in turn is moved to contact the contact terminal 75, thus breakingthe circuit through the heater. and establishing a circuit through thesolenoid coil to automatically break the contact between the contactmember 54, and the contactterminals 43 and/44, which contact wasoriginally made by pulling the solenoid core 52, outwardly, tol permitstarting of the engine.`

I am aware that numerous details of construction may be varied throughawide range without departing from the principles of this invention, andI therefore do not purpose limiting the patent granted otherwise than,necessitated by the prior art.

.l c laim as my invention:

1. A thermostatically controlled heating i( system for fuel of ahydrocarbon engine comprising a heater for the fuel, a thermothethermostat whereby upon the breaking of the circuit to the heater by thethermostat,y circuit is subsequently established through thesolenoid tooperate the switch .to open position.

2. A thermostatically controlled heating.

system for fuel of a hydrocarbon engine comprising a source ofelectrical energy, a manually operable switch in the main line thereof,a heater connected to said main line, a thermostat,having two terminals,one connected to said heater, a solenoid for operating said switch intoopen position when energized connected tothe other terminal of` thethermostat, and said heater and thermostat so4 associated as to impartthe heat of the heated fuel to the thermostat to cause opening of thecircuit to the heater and closure of the circuit to the solenoid by thethermostat to operate the switch into open position.

3. ln a heating arrangement for hydrocarbon fuel of the class describedfor use on a motor car, a heater connected into the fuel supply, athermostat associated therewith 'subject to the heat of the fuel heated,av

source of electrical energy,' one terminal thereof grounded, the otherterminal thereof connected to said heater, a connection from saidvheater to one terminal of the thermostat, a manually operated switch,one terminal thereof connected to said source ofelectrical energy, theother terminal thereof connected to said thermostat, and a solenoid foroperating said switch into open position, one terminal thereof grounded,and the other terminal connected to avterminal of the thermostat,whereby the thermostat upon heating, opens circuit to the heater andthereafter closes circuit to the solenoid to operate the switch intoopenposition.

4. ln a heating system for the fuel of a hydrocarbon engine, means forheating the fuel, a thermostatic element controlling the supply ofenergy to said means, a switch adapted `to control supply of energy tosaid means, and mechanism controlled by the thermostat for opening saidswitch subsequent to the cutting off of supply of energy to said meansby said thermostat.

The combination with a heater for heating fuel. for a hydrocarbon engineof a thermostat subjected to the heated fuel, a source of energy forsaid heater, a switch manually,

operatable to close a circuit from the source i "leso,

of 4energy to said heater, a solenoid for op` erating said switch intoopen position, and a plurality of terminals on said thermostat, one inseries with said heater, one in series with said solenoid, and the otherconnected to said switch, said thermostat operating automatically underinfluence of heat to open the circuit to4 the heater and subsequentlythereafter to close circuit through the solenoid, causing operation ofsaid switch into open position. y

6. The combination/with a gasolene engine', of a gasolene heaterconnected therewith, a solenoid switch mechanism, a thermostat disposedbetween said heater and solenoid switch mechanism, and a source ofelectrical energy adapted to be connected to said heater to heat thesame when said solenoid switch mechanism is manually operated and bedisconnected from said heater by the automatic operation of saidthermostat and solenoid switch mechanism when a predeterminedtemperature has been reachedby the gasolene passing through said heater.7. ln a device -of the class described the combination with a gasolenesupply line, of

a casing connected therewith to permit gasolene to pass therethrough, aheater in said casing for heating the gasolene passing through saidcasing, an auxiliary casing mounted on said first casing andcommunieating with the interior thereof, a partition in said auxiliaryvcasing dividing the same into a gasolene chamber and an instrumentchamber, and a thermostat in said instrument chamber adapted to beheated by the heated gasolene flowing into said gasolene chamber tocontrol theA operation of said heater.

'8. ln a device of the class described the combination with a gasolenesupply line, of a casing connected therewith to permit gasolene to passtherethrough, an electrical heater in said casing for heating thegasolene passing through said casing, an auxiliary casing mounted onsaid irst vcasing and communieating with the interior thereof, a.partition in said 'auxiliary casing.clivicling the same into a gasolenechamber andv an instrument chamber,` a thermostat in saidinstrument.

